Why Exterior Waterproofing Isn't Enough: Protecting Your Home from the Inside Out

When water enters your basement, many homeowners turn to exterior “band-aid” fixes like gutters, grading, or window wells. While these solutions can help redirect surface water, they rarely solve the root cause of water intrusion. The best way to protect your home is to manage water where it actually enters, at the foundation.

Why Water Intrusion Happens
Even with the best exterior drainage, homes in Michigan and Northern Indiana face unique moisture challenges. Heavy rains, lake-effect storms, snowmelt, and high water tables all contribute to foundation saturation. Over time, this leads to leaks, seepage, and mold growth.



Why Gutters, Grading, and Window Wells Aren’t Enough
Exterior solutions like gutters and grading are important, but they only tackle surface water. They can’t stop moisture or groundwater from entering below the surface.

Common “Band-Aid” Fixes and Why They Fall Short:
Gutters & Downspouts – Direct rainwater away from the roof but don’t prevent groundwater seepage through foundation walls.
Regrading the Lawn – Temporarily helps redirect water but erodes over time and doesn’t fix deeper soil saturation.
Window Wells – Can trap water if not properly drained and often cause leaks at the window base.

While these measures might delay water intrusion, they can’t permanently waterproof your basement. Interior drainage systems like French drains and sump pumps collect and discharge water before it becomes a problem, solving the issue at its source.

Real Michigan Homeowners, Real Waterproofing Results



Shirl’s Story – Waterproofing the Basement of a Historic Home
Originally from Chicago, Shirl dreamed of a Michigan getaway where she and her boyfriend could enjoy summer days with friends. Since 2019, she’s been lovingly restoring a historic property in Marcellus, MI, between Kalamazoo and South Bend, taking on projects step by step to bring her vision to life. The home needed both foundation support and waterproofing, but with all the systems required to protect her property, she needed to prioritize. Ayers worked with Shirl to right-size her project and design a plan that fit her budget.

Waterproofing was the most immediate concern, so our team installed:
WaterGuard® Interior Drainage System – Collects water along the basement perimeter and channels it safely to the sump pump.
TripleSafe® Sump Pump System – A three-pump system that ensures protection even during power outages.
IceGuard® Discharge Protection – Keeps the system running through Michigan’s freezing winters.

Thanks to these upgrades, Shirl’s basement has remained dry for over six years. When our crews returned to install her foundation supports later, they worked in a clean, dry space, proof that a permanent system is the long-term solution.


Reed & Cheryl’s Story – A Healthier Crawl Space on Lake Charlevoix
Reed and Cheryl, who recently moved into their East Jordan home on Lake Charlevoix, wanted to make it safe and comfortable for full-time living. The crawl space had become damp, musty, and unstable due to years of moisture exposure and poor ventilation. Our team designed a plan to stabilize and encapsulate their crawl space for a healthier, more energy-efficient home.

Solutions Installed:
CleanSpace® Encapsulation System – Seals off the crawl space from moisture and soil gases.
Drainage Matting – Helps water flow beneath the vapor barrier toward the sump pump.
SmartJacks® & Supplemental Beam – Support sagging floors and strengthen the structure.

With their crawl space waterproofed and supported, Reed and Cheryl can now enjoy clean air, better energy efficiency, and peace of mind knowing their home’s foundation and crawl space is protected.

 

See how the Ayers team helped Olympian Penny Neer permanently protect her Hillsdale, MI home. Watch now.

Permanent Waterproofing Solutions for Michigan and Northern Indiana Homes
At Ayers Basement Systems, we design waterproofing systems that go beyond temporary fixes. Whether you live near Grand Rapids, Detroit, Kalamazoo, Traverse City, or South Bend, our interior drainage and encapsulation solutions are engineered to last, protecting your home and everything inside it.

Schedule your free waterproofing inspection today and let our experts walk you through the best way to keep your basement or crawl space permanently dry.